Objectives: To explore the association between Designer Drug Use (DDU) and a number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), including HIV. Examine the differences in such associations between male and female DDUs. Methods: 1357 participants (986 male, 371 female) were recruited, through a community based program in Western Los Angeles County. The Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) and Designer Drug Trailer (DDT) were used to assess DDU and STIs. Results: Use of MDMA, Ketamine, and GHB was associated with HIV+ status (self-report, all ps < .001), as well as Chlamydia infection (self-report, all ps < .05) in men. The only significant association found for female DDUs was between GHB use and Gonorrhea, χ2 (1, N = 371) = 4.30, p < .05, though marginal trends were present for the association between Ketamine and Gonorrhea, χ2 (1, N = 371) = 3.70, p = .054, and MDMA and Chlamydia, χ2 (1, N = 371) = 2.74, p = .10. Conclusions: A greater number of associations between DDU and STIs were found in males than in females. Specifically, while HIV+ status was found to be associated with each of the Designer Drugs for males, no such associations were found for females. Interventions targeted at users of these substances should consider gender specific STI intervention in order to reduce future STI as well as HIV incidence.

Learning Objectives:

Identify specific STIs that are associated with use of specific club drugs.

Recognize difference in specific associations between male and females club drug users.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the
manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.